Turbo Charger Generator Control for Load Followability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbo charger generators face challenges in maintaining efficient energy use and load followability due to fixed engine speed control, leading to inefficient power generation and complex system configurations, especially during low-speed operations and when coordinating with multiple generators.
Innovation Solution
A turbo charger generator system that includes a power conversion unit with a converter to convert AC power to DC power, a rotor rotation angle estimation unit based on rotor magnetic flux, and a control unit to coordinate-convert AC current into DC current, maintaining a target DC current value for stable output power and voltage matching, ensuring good load followability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine speed is controlled to be maintained at a predetermined value, then the generator output power can be stabilized, but the engine speed will differ from the optimum engine speed, leading to degradation in energy use efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the engine speed control adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the engine speed based on load conditions, transitioning from a static predetermined speed to a dynamic optimal speed that varies with operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain reliability through active control while improving energy efficiency by operating at load-dependent optimal speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from a fixed predetermined engine speed to a variable optimal engine speed determined by load conditions. The control unit modifies the speed parameter in real-time based on feedback, enabling the system to achieve both stable output and high energy efficiency by operating at the most appropriate speed for each loading condition.
2Reliability
If the engine speed is controlled to be maintained at a predetermined value, then the generator output can be controlled, but good load followability cannot be obtained when the load varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit continuously monitors the load conditions and adjusts the engine speed accordingly. The system uses feedback from the power conversion unit and load status to maintain optimal engine speed, enabling both stable output control and excellent load followability by adapting to varying conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static speed control to dynamic speed adaptation. The engine speed is no longer fixed but dynamically adjusted based on load variations, allowing the generator to follow load changes effectively while maintaining controlled output power through active management.
3Measurement precision
If a speed detector or frequency detection unit is provided to detect rotating speed, then the rotating speed can be detected, but the detection equipment and control circuit become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the generator's own operational characteristics (back-EMF or current waveform) to determine rotating speed without external detection equipment. The control unit extracts speed information from signals already present in the system, eliminating the need for separate speed detectors and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining accurate speed awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical speed detection systems with an electrical/electronic solution. Instead of using mechanical tachometers or dedicated frequency detection circuits, the system uses electrical signal analysis from the generator's own output or back-EMF to determine speed, substituting a complex mechanical/dedicated electrical detection system with a simpler signal processing approach.
4Measurement precision
If the rotating speed is detected based on output voltage waveform of an electric motor, then the rotating speed can be detected, but the voltage amplitude is very small when the generator is rotating at low speed, making detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces voltage waveform-based speed detection with an alternative method that does not suffer from low-amplitude issues at low speeds. By using current waveform analysis or back-EMF detection with signal conditioning, the system maintains accurate speed detection capability across the entire operating range including low-speed conditions where voltage amplitude would be insufficient.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution stabilizes output power and enhances load followability by maintaining target DC current and voltage values, improving energy efficiency and simplifying system control, even under varying load conditions and low-speed operations.
Implementation Method 1
a converter for converting the AC power generated by the generator into DC power
Implementation Method 2
a rotor rotation angle estimation unit for estimating an angle of rotation of a rotor of the generator based on a rotor magnetic flux of the generator
Data Source
AI summary
A turbo charger generator (1) generates power with a generator (7) by driving a gas turbine (3) and a compressor (6) with exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine (2). The generated AC power is supplied to an electric power system (12) via a power conversion unit (8). The power conversion unit (8) has a converter (13) for converting AC power into DC power, a unit (18) for estimating a rotor rotation angle θ based on a rotor magnetic flux, and a control unit (15) for coordinate-converting AC current into DC current by using the rotor rotation angle θ as the reference, and controlling the output DC power of the converter (13) such that the magnitude of the DC current is maintained at a target DC current value.